After a several day stretch of triple digit temperatures, Saturday brought some welcome relief to the region, and it was just in time for Escalon’s full day of Park Fete festivities.
Events during the week – the Senior Mr. and Mrs. Escalon Luncheon, the Miss Escalon and Little Miss and Mr. Escalon pageants – had to deal with 100-plus degrees. The fact that all were staged in the air-conditioned Community Center helped out and even though Friday saw the thermometer touch 100, there was a significant cooldown in the late afternoon, as people bean turning out for the Fete.
Booths opened on Friday afternoon, July 26 with several musical groups taking the stage during the evening. The Escalon Police Department cornhole tournament drew several teams and taking home the trophy was the team of Aaron Pangilinan and Shea Patterson.
Saturday, July 27 was the full day of downtown fun, with stick horse races for kids in several different age groups starting off the activities at about 10 a.m.
Following that, the parade stepped off at 10:30 a.m., with the Escalon American Legion Post 263 in the lead and Grand Marshal Debbie Murken riding right behind. Murken’s community involvement through the years has included membership in the Kiwanis Club, working with the Dent PTO, El Portal Parents Club and helping coordinate the Every 15 Minutes program at the high school for several years. Other activities for Murken have been working with the Chamber of Commerce, Christmas on Main, serving on the Recreation Commission, volunteering with Toys for Tots and being involved in the Escalon Parks Foundation.
Several floats, walking groups and classic cars were also part of the parade.
Then it was off to the area in front of the Main Street stage, with the Legion Honor Guard presenting a special program that included a 21-gun salute, the playing of Taps and the ceremonial folding of the flag with an explanation of what each fold represents.
Throughout the day on Saturday, the Fun and Games carnival area was busy with kids enjoying the rides, bounce houses, super slide and games, while the entertainment on stage featured one group after another.
There was a seating area adjacent to the caboose in the Main Street Park set up with tables and chairs for dining, and the popular Kids Corral area was open, with another seating area located close to that.
Various merchandise booths were scattered around the park, with some food trucks on site along Main Street, Icees and fresh squeezed lemonade for sale, a brick oven pizza booth doing a booming business, and some booths offering homemade sweet treats, such as mini donuts and cookies.
The Escalon Lions Club, which has served as the sponsoring organization for Park Fete the last several years, had its Beer Booth up and operating, while the Escalon Parks Foundation hosted its wine booth. The Escalon Lions also had a table with information and local organization Escalon Strong had plenty of information about what the group is doing to help provide needed services in the community.
County supervisor Robert Rickman was on hand for part of the day on Saturday, enjoying the parade and having the chance to meet and greet constituents; he represents Escalon on the county board.
The Escalon Poker Club staged its first ever tournament, downstairs in the Grange Hall on Main Street, and earmarked a portion of the proceeds of the tournament to benefit improvements at the local hall.
Businesses along the portion of Main Street that was closed to vehicle traffic during the Park Fete remained open and a sign at First and Main encouraged visitors to Park Fete to also stop by the shops on the street.
With live music throughout the event, many attendees enjoyed the chance to get up and dance in the area in front of the stage; with a wide variety of genres featured during the two days of Park Fete.
